EAFF U15 Boys' Tournament 2018 4th Match vs U-15 Korea DPR National Team
Fri. 27 July 2018 Kick-off 16:30 (Local time) Match duration 60mins (30mins x2)
National Football Training Center (Xianghe, China PR)

U-15 Japan National Team 1-1 (0-0, 1-1) U-15 Korea DPR National Team

Scores
33' goal against (U-15 Korea DPR National Team)
44' KAWANO Kota (U-15 Japan National Team)

Starting Line-ups
GK: TANAKA Haruki
DF: MORITA Sho, TANAKA Hayato, SUWAMA Kosei, OSAKO Aoto
MF: SATO Yosei, KAJIURA Yuki, TOYAMA Haruki, NOZAWA Leon
FW: KAWANO Kota, IGAMI Arya

Reserves
GK: KANOSHIMA Yu
DF: KIKUCHI Shuta, ICHIHARA Miran, MATSUKI Kuryu
MF: TAKAYANAGI Eijiro, KATO Tsubasa
FW: KATSUSHIMA Shinnosuke

Substitutions
HT TANAKA Haruki → KANOSHIMA Yu
HT IGAMI Arya → MATSUKI Kuryu
HT KAJIURA Yuki → KIKUCHI Shuta
HT SATO Yosei → KATSUSHIMA Shinnosuke
45' TANAKA Hayato → ICHIHARA Miran
58' OSAKO Aoto → TAKAYANAGI Eijiro
58' NOZAWA Leon → KATO Tsubasa 

Match Report

The U-15 Japan National Team who is participating in the EAFF U15 Boys' Tournament 2018 has recorded three wins in that many matches, and faced the U-15 Korea DPR National Team in their fourth match of the tournament. With the match kicking off at 16:30, the pitch saw some areas covered by the shade, allowing the players to evade from the scorching sunlight. From their pre-match scouting, the Japanese side was aware that their opponents are physically solid and that they will come out with high intensity. With that in mind, the Japanese players were seen preparing for the match with a bit tenser atmosphere.

Unlike the first three matches where Japan took control from the early minutes, the match started with the Korea DPR side taking the initiative. With the momentum on their side, Korea DPR threatened the Japanese goal numerous times. In the 23rd minute, Japan turned over the ball in the central area of the pitch, allowing the Korea DPR player to brake away to create a one-on-one situation against the goalkeeper, but TANAKA Haruki timed himself superbly to come out and make the save. Japan started to find their rhythm and gradually took control of the match, creating numbers of chances, but came short from finding the back of the net, as the match entered halftime scoreless.

After changing four players during halftime, Japan initiated the action in the second half. In the 31st minute, second half substitute MATSUKI Kuryu made an overlap from the left flank before striking a shot, but his effort was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. However, it was Korea DPR who struck first as their forward received the ball just out side of the penalty area and made nifty turn before firing a shot in the 33rd minute. The shot went into the goal and gave Korea DPR the opening goal. Now desperately needing a goal, Japan increased their aggression to level the match.

KATSUSHIMA Shinnosuke’s dribbles created chances for Japan in the 35th and 38th minute, but his effort came short from scoring the equaliser. Conversely, Japan was counter attacked by Korea DPR, but KANOSHIMA Yu made a wonderful save, which was followed by a heroic save made by TANAKA Hayato to keep the score intact. With hopes to score a goal, NOZAWA Leon made a tenacious effort to save the ball that was about to go out of bounds in the 44th minute. The ball was delivered to KAWANO Kota, who was anticipating for the opportunity in front of the goal, as he calmly shook away a defender and slotted the ball into the net, giving Japan the long-awaited equaliser.

Both teams fought hard for the remainder of the match, as chances arrived for each side, but none of them prevailed to decide the winner. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. As the final whistle was blown, players from both sides were seen collapsing onto the turf with fatigue and disappointment, leaving an impression that they have all given everything they’ve got and their strong eagerness to win the match. Even though Japan could not win the match, by far this was their best match of the tournament. The team is now scheduled to play their final match of the tournament against the U-15 Mongolia National Team on the following day.

Players’ Comments

MF #14 HONDA Manato (Vegalta Sendai Junior Youth)
This was my first call-up to the U-15 national team, and I was really looking forward for this tour abroad to surround myself with a different environment, staffs, and teammates. Playing against foreign players gave me a great opportunity to realise that athleticism, physical strengths, and speed are essential aspects in this game. Once I go back to my club, I will implement what I have learnt in this tour and train with a higher intention to improve myself. The experience I have gained here in China PR is very unique, and I hope to utilise it in the future.

DF #19 SATO Yosei (Consadole Sapporo U-15)
It has been eight days since we arrived at China PR, and I am finally getting used to the environment and the food here. I have also been able to perform my game on the pitch. This tour has given me the opportunity to nurture the ability to adjust to different surroundings and teammates. It is certainly a priceless experience for me. Through the daily meetings and the conversations with the coaching staffs has urged me to think about what I must do to get better. I feel that I am spending such a productive time here and I am very grateful to be selected to the national team for the first time.

DF #23 ICHIHARA Miran (Omiya Ardija Junior Youth)
Today’s match against Korea DPR has given us the opportunity to play against an opponent who consists strong intensity, physical attributes, and high athleticism, which we don’t normally see in Japan. Although we ended up in a tie, I will not forget this match and work even harder from now on in a daily basis to improve myself.

DF #25 MATSUKI Kuryu (Aomori Yamada Junior High School)
I am enjoying myself greatly in my first call-up to the U-15 Japan National Team, as I am getting the opportunity to play with very unique players from all around the nation. The strong physical abilities and the persistency towards victory were featured in today’s match against Korea DPR. It is not something we see in Japan and it gave us a great learning experience. It gave me great confidence to see that my running ability, coaching, and heading skills were effective even at this level. However, there were times I watched the ball too much and didn’t pay much attention to the space behind me. I also felt the need to heighten the quality in my overall skills, so I must improve on those aspects moving forward.

Schedule

*Local Time
*All matches will be held at the National Football Training Center (Xianghe)
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

EAFF U15 Boys' Tournament 2018

Tournament Dates: Mon. 23 July - Sat. 28 July 2018
Tournament Venue: National Football Training Center (China PR)
Tournament Information